Water, Sewage & Effluent January February 2019 | Page 11

www.waterafrica.co.za
Water Sewage & Effluent January/February 2019
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South Africa as a water-scarce country has been highlighted for
many months in the water crisis in the Western Cape and Eastern
Cape regions. At the end of 2018, the MEC for Local Government
and Environmental Affairs in the Western Cape stated that the
situation in the Karoo regions of the province remains severe
with many areas continuing to rely on groundwater.
Businesses and individuals have responded to pleas from
local government to reduce consumption, but damaged pipes
are still resulting in the loss of millions of litres of water each
month.
According to a 2018 GreenCape market intelligence report,
the water demand in South Africa is expected to exceed supply
by 17% in 2030, with demand expected to grow from 15 billion m 3
in 2016 to 18 billion m 3 over this period (WWF 2017).
The report states that in order to address water scarcity and
provide reliable water to all people, businesses, and industries
in South Africa, it is estimated that over the next 10 years, an
investment of around R70.4-billion is required each year in
water infrastructure. This includes refurbishing and upgrading
existing infrastructure, as well as new infrastructure to support
population and economic growth.
Claude Marais, general manager of Averda Sight Lines, a
pipeline assessment and maintenance specialist, suggests that,
if we want to avoid running out of water, we also need to take
better care of our infrastructure. Marais argues that while we
cannot increase the amount of rainfall we get, we can control
how much water is lost due to leaks or breakages. “While
it would be naïve to believe we can reduce this to zero, our
experience shows that we can significantly cut water leaks
through a programme of planned assessment and maintenance,”
says Marais.
With over 20 years’ experience in conducting these types
of tests for water users of all descriptions, Averda Sight Lines’
capabilities are a full range of inspection and diagnostic tools,
including remotely operated surveillance vehicles equipped
with CCTV cameras and laser pipe profiling systems that
build an accurate picture of the condition of pipes. For pipes
containing liquids, sonar and multi-sensor equipment is used to
give detailed analysis of the condition of active pipelines.
All of these systems relay real-time or stored data that can
be used to build 3D models of pipes as well as visual and digital
data for a multitude of diagnostic reports.
These reports provide basic information such as analysis,
classification, and condition of pipelines, through to GPS and
geographic information system (GIS) enabled maps that allow
customers to get a visual representation of their underground
network of pipelines.
“From all this data we are able to map existing pipeline
infrastructure,” says Marais.
“Presenting this type of information to customers simplifies
their maintenance programmes because they’re able to
understand the nature of defects, prioritise problem areas, and
carry out targeted repairs.”
Water utilities, municipalities, and users alike can benefit from
a proactive programme of pipeline inspection and maintenance.
According to Marais, as well as saving millions of litres of water,
these efforts can also reduce overall maintenance expenditure
by up to 70%.
Water crisis needs successful
infrastructure management
Water Sewage & Effluent January/February 2019
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